Abortion coverage bill passes House

A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from providing abortion coverage, except in specified circumstances, passed in the House of Representatives 79-14 Monday.

House Bill 1123 would force customers who want the coverage to pay for it separately as an add-on through a rider or endorsement. The ban would not apply to cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening circumstances for the mother.

"This bill brings everything into conformity - all the same," said Rep. Jeffrey Thompson, R-Lizton, who authored the bill.

Thompson said he compromised to provide abortion coverage in cases of incest, rape and health of the mother for all policies, whether it is a state employee health plan, private polices, or student health plans.

"While some would say that's too far, some not far enough, that's what we settled on," Lizton said.